There is no good reason to lose weight OTHER than the insight and honesty to accept the dangers of eating too much and not taking enough exercise.

Many people are in denial – or blissfully unaware – that they have a weight problem. BMI is simply one measure of this – it doesn’t mean Big Mac Index ! Of course another lifestyle choice – such as being a fashion model, boxer or horse rider – may over rule the perception of “ normal weight “ ; more ominously, conditions such as anorexia nervosa require diagnosis and treatment.


Obesity is not in the vast majority of cases linked to single gene defect(s). It’s the result of many personal decisions – although its increase is not just due to individual frailty. It certainly costs the UK health service a staggering amount – estimated £ 5 billion / year, and increasing; and possibly £ 20 billion a year in lost productivity due to associated ill health.


Getting individuals – and thus populations – to accept they might have a problem is one thing ; it’s another to understand what to do about it. Where you shop dictates what you eat. Trans-fats, for example, are toxins prolonging shelf-life of many products, still present in foods available in corner shops or “ takeaways “. “ Low-fat “ foods contain too many sugars and refined carbohydrates. Fizzy drinks may contain high-fructose corn syrup, converted to fat in the body. Alcoholic drinks contain a surprising number of calories. Most people ( in the UK ) have heard of “ 5 a day “ ( portions of fruit and vegetables ) – not necessarily cheap, or appealing, to many.


I started the thread by reminding members that I don’t make judgements on lifestyle choices – but would simply suggest honesty in self-assessment. Think whether you might feel better this New Year with even small improvements in diet and exercise. Best wishes to you all !